Final answer:
The negative or harmful consequences of a social pattern are known as dysfunctions.
Dysfunctions are undesirable for society's operation and challenge structural-functional theory when they persist without serving a function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The negative or harmful consequences of a social pattern are known as dysfunctions. Dysfunctions are social patterns that have undesirable consequences for the operation of society. They might continue even when they do not serve a function, challenging the basic premise of structural-functional theory. In sociological terms, dysfunctions are the flip side of the necessary functions that help maintain a society's stability, known as dynamic equilibrium.
For example, in the transition from mechanical to organic solidarity described by Durkheim, the negative consequences in the form of social anomie can emerge. This form of social dysfunction represents a time when collective norms are weakened during significant societal changes, such as during economic upheavals or wars. Similarly, behaviors that deviate from a society's norms, although not necessarily punishable, can be disruptive and are considered deviant behaviors.
It's also important to understand that while deviance fosters social change and is not always undesirable, dysfunctions specifically refer to the negative impacts on society. These are separate from the sociological discourse on deviance, which may have both positive and negative connotations.